Two former Wallabies picked in Toulon's Brisbane Tens squad

By News / Wire

27th January, 2017

Drew Mitchell and James O’Connor will return to their hometown of Brisbane with Toulon for next month’s Global Tens rugby union tournament.

But fellow Australians Matt Giteau and Liam Gill, as well as All Blacks powerhouse Ma’a Nonu, have not been selected in the French Top 14 club’s 18-man squad.

Mitchell and O’Connor will line up on February 11-12 alongside fellow former Queensland player and star Japan fullback Ayumu Goromaru at Suncorp Stadium.

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Goromaru was dumped by the Reds after one season last year.

Former Wallaby O’Connor was released by the Brisbane-based franchise in 2015 after a year, before joining for a second stint at Toulon.

Mitchell, a 71-Test veteran, left the Reds in 2006 to join Super Rugby rivals Western Force before being recruited by the NSW Waratahs.

“The chance to return to Australia and play at Suncorp Stadium as part of the first-ever Toulon side to set foot in the country really is a dream come true,” Mitchell said.

European powerhouse Toulon will contest the two-day tournament with all 10 Australian and New Zealand Super Rugby franchises.

Japanese club Panasonic Wild Knights, South Africa’s Blue Bulls and the Samoan national team are also locked in.

Toulon will meet NZ’s Hurricanes and the Force in the group stages.

Meanwhile, the Brumbies have named eight Wallabies in their squad, including Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani and Kyle Godwin.

Retired Wallabies Stephen Larkham and Andrew Walker are wildcards.

The Crowd Says:

2017-01-31T04:48:34+00:00

gatesy

Roar Guru

I'm amazed Brad Thorn didn't put his hand up for Qld

2017-01-30T09:11:29+00:00

RubberLegs

Guest

Drew Mitchell is a brilliant player with all the skills - strong on contact and a great boot. Toulon are now No-Frills out-of-date vegan pate without a decent #10 - Boudjelal is a rich dill.

2017-01-30T00:21:09+00:00

Terry

Guest

Ewen is a Victorian In Brief..

2017-01-30T00:18:47+00:00

Doubles

Guest

Yes against minnows he is ok..Hopeless against very good teams...

2017-01-29T05:33:46+00:00

In Brief

Guest

At least he's better than that other died in the wool New South Welshman Ewan Macca

2017-01-27T21:51:34+00:00

Yabba

Guest

Watch him being hopeless in the world cup, last 5 minutes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YuYpMLcUMk Last 30 seconds of this clip. Absolutely hopeless.

2017-01-27T03:10:39+00:00

Celtic334

Guest

I don't mind it, its actually creating some talking points and mild media interest. Something some trials couldn't do. Getting the public talking about anything rugby is an improvement from what normally happens at this time of the year.

2017-01-27T01:48:50+00:00

Machooka

Roar Guru

Oh don't fret so much Terry pet... as it's not good for your health. Look the papers have been duly signed by Trump. The wall will go up, and thus keep all those nasties out. Queensland will be great again. Yes sir. Hey, the best bit is the Mexicans are paying for it... yeah 100% paying for it. So yee-haw partner!

2017-01-27T00:56:24+00:00

Terry

Guest

This is going to be the second biggest flop in ARU history.Only Michael Chieka being appointed Wallabies coach is worse.

2017-01-27T00:51:32+00:00

Doubles

Guest

Drew Mitchell is the most overated Wallaby winger of all time..Latho will run rings around him at 44

2017-01-26T23:09:05+00:00

Jacko

Guest

So Toulon name an 18 man squad and the Brumbies name a 26 man squad. This tournament seems to be badly organised and getting worse every time another story comes out. Im hoping they will get themselves sorted before the games begin.

2017-01-26T22:28:17+00:00

puff

Guest

The Brisbane 10’s, is this just another cookie cutter? For me, I would much prefer a couple of pre-season super games. Perhaps I’m too judgmental.

2017-01-26T20:36:30+00:00

Mapu

Guest

Aussie sides need to win something...anything

2017-01-26T16:36:59+00:00

Sandgroper

Guest

Go the Force and if they can't do it go Toulon!